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Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh

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Long Way Home: A Young Man Lost in the System and the Two Women Who Found Him

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The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover's Secret FBI

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Crossing the Borders of Time: A True Story of War, Exile, and Love Reclaimed

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Precious Victims: Penguin True Crime

The police in Jersey County, Illinois, accepted Paula Sims' story of a masked kidnapper who snatched her baby girl, Lorelei, from her bassinet. Three years later, her second newborn daughter suffered an identical fate - and this time the police were unable to stop searching until they had discovered the whole horrifying truth. This is the full terrifying story of twisted sexuality and hate seething below the surface of a seemingly normal family and of the massive investigation and nerve-shattering trial that made the unthinkable a reality.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

Joe and Rose Kennedy's strikingly beautiful daughter, Rosemary, attended exclusive schools, was presented as a debutante to the queen of England, and traveled the world with her high-spirited sisters. And yet Rosemary was intellectually disabled - a secret fiercely guarded by her powerful and glamorous family.

After Perfect: A Daughter's Memoir

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Tender Is the Night

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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

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Boys in the Trees: A Memoir

Simon's memoir reveals her remarkable life, beginning with her storied childhood as the third daughter of Richard L. Simon, the co-founder of publishing giant Simon & Schuster; her musical debut as half of The Simon Sisters, performing folk songs with her sister, Lucy, in Greenwich Village; to a meteoric solo career that would result in 13 top 40 hits, including the number-one song "You're So Vain".

Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son

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Best Boy: A Novel

Sent to a "therapeutic community" for autism at the age of 11, Todd Aaron, now in his '50s, is the "old fox" of Payton Living Center. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel "normal" again.

Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Aging

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Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion

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Maude

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The Innocents Abroad: Or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress

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The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language

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Winter King: The Dawn of Tudor England

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The World's Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette's, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family

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Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years

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The Six Wives of Henry VIII

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Toni Tennille: A Memoir

Since bursting onto the scene in the mid '70s, the pop duo Captain and Tennille have long defined the sparkling, optimistic idea of everlasting love, both in their music and through their image as a happy and, seemingly, unbreakable couple. They were an irresistible pair to millions of fans all over the world, further underscored by the rousing "yes, we can!" gospel of their biggest hit, "Love Will Keep Us Together". But underneath the image was an entirely different story that the fans never saw.

Publisher's Summary

Audie Award, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2013

Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2013

Booklist Top 10 Biography Audiobooks

Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of 15, when her soul-wrenching song "Society's Child" became a hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, "Society's Child" climbed the charts despite the fact that many radio stations across the country refused to play it because of its controversial subject matter. But this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career.

In this fascinating memoir of her more than 40 years in the music business, Ian chronicles how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janis Joplin, and sang with Mel Tormé, all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music.

In 1975, Ian's legendary "At Seventeen" earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. Her next two albums brought her worldwide platinum hits. But after seven albums in as many years, she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business. During this period, she struggled through a difficult marriage, which ended with her then husband's attempt to destroy her, and a sudden illness that very nearly cost her her life. The hiatus from music lasted for close to a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of the Grammy-nominated Breaking Silence. Now, as she moves gracefully into her fifth decade as a recording artist and writer, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe.

In Society's Child, Janis Ian provides a relentlessly honest account of the successes and failures - and the hopes and dreams - of an extraordinary life.

Listening to Janis Ian narrate her autobiography punctuated with her singing her songsfelt like sitting in her living room while she told the story. As she sang, I was transported back to my own youth. If you are a fan, this is a absolute must book to listen to. If you are not yet a fan, listen to this book and you'll become one.

Like a lot of people, I was a bit surprised to learn this had beaten out some really famous and important works - - but after an hour, I know why. This story is like having the world's best coffee and donuts with your absolute best friend who is finally letting you in on all the secrets of her life. She's an amazing writer - - no kidding, just listen to her music. But just like that music, this is deeply personal, stunningly honest, painful and uplifting. Hearing this one, with Janis singing pieces of the story, allows you to be not a just a witness to her life, but a participant. Love this one.

The minute I saw that Janis Ian had an autobiography out I bought it! Then I saw that she was also performing it, and that made me even more excited to start it. I've been a fan of hers for decades, even meeting her briefly after a concert at the Univ. of Arizona in 1977 or so. I've been learning a lot about her life before becoming famous with "Society's Child" and "At Seventeen", and she even sings snippets of her songs in this great audiobook.With the world of digital downloads, I've been able to buy some of her older releases and found out that she is coming to town in March!THIS is the way a great autobiography should be done--read and performed by the author.Thanks, Janis, and Audible!

I loved her music as a teenager and love her music now. I was tickled to find this book here, and not even a bit disappointed. Loved every minute of it, and no one else could read it and do it justice. Brava!

I really didn't know much about Janis Ian or her music. I was familiar with a couple of her hits. I listened to this mainly because it got rave reviews from other listeners. This isn't the typical book I listen to on a regular basis. I am more the business book and self-help type but decided I wanted a break. Her story was extremely fascinating and provided a wonderful glimpse into what it is like to make it and not make it in the music world.

She tells her story, and its a life with wild ups and downs, in such an open and honest way. She is a fantastic story teller/narrator, which makes sense as she is a singer songwriter. This has been one of my favorite audiobooks. Love the fact that in the audiobook you get to hear her music all along the way.

Yes: For one credit you get these pearks:<br/><br/>- A liberal history lesson<br/>- Raw gig experience deliverd without polished crap<br/>- Backstage inside<br/>- Gay and female rights<br/>- Drug stories<br/>And you get to hang with Janis Joplin! This is not a book: It is an experience. If you have not heard about Janis Ian you will enjoy it if you like the 60's and 70's music scene. Ian's sexual oriontation does not take up too much space. You get the story bout the man wo attacted her. She is not advating gay rights: To her we who are hetrosexuals are the same. She does an amazing job when it comes to seeing PEOPLE rather than labels. It is worthy every award. This book I mean experience is perfect for a weekend night when you sta home but rather wish you had the bucks for a gig and yes: You will come back to this. T is a feel-good book unlike any other. When you are done you might wan to hear the music. On her website free tracks awaits.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that she is honest

What does Janis Ian bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well. It is not possible to read a show.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she was being drugged by a stranger in N.Y.

Any additional comments?

This is not my favorite book it is my favorite audio experience. Hopefylly this will be included in "How should I use my first credit?" Section.

My interests run to psychology, popular science, history, world literature, and occasionally something fun like Jasper Fforde. It seems like the only free time I have for reading these days is when I'm in the car so I am extremely grateful for audio books. I started off reading just the contemporary stuff that I was determined not to clutter up my already stuffed bookcases with. And now audio is probably 90% of my "reading" matter.

The best thing about this memoir is that we get to hear it in Janis's own voice exactly as she intended it to be heard. She even occasionally punctuates it by singing snippets of her songs. There doesn't seem to be much that she's not willing to share with her readers/listeners. I give her credit for that, especially for someone with so many trust issues. There was probably more than I wanted or needed to know about her sex life. I was more interested in hearing about her songs and the album creation process. It turns out, that's actually a small part of a singer's life. It's mostly about the unending amount of time spent touring, and about her personal life. It was both interesting and disappointing to discover that her life has actually been rather ordinary, apart from being famous and having a couple fairly bizarre episodes. Occasionally, I wished there were more dates thrown in to keep the story anchored. Occasionally, I wish people had been better identified; I have trouble keeping track of people who are only explained once many pages earlier if at all. I could never tell if her accounts of events were meant to convey how she felt at the time, or if she still feels that way now. She recounts a number of mistakes that she made in her life and career, but the way she tells it leaves it unclear if she appreciates her share of the responsibility for them. Lest anyone think I am unsympathetic to her trials and tribulations, let me hasten to reassure them that I would not have bought this book if I hadn't been a fan of Janis's work. Whether anyone who is not a fan would appreciate this book is hard to say, but she writes well and reflects the times in which she lived in a way that helps remind all of us what it was like.

Where does Society's Child rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the most engaging nonfiction books I've read. Janis tells the story of her life, her music and the music industry. Nicely written, beautifully read. One aspect that really set this one apart for me was the natural way that Janis sings and plays the guitar at the beginning of every chapter and throughout the book. It has the feel of sitting in your living room and having Janis tell you her life story. Amazing!<br/><br/>I've been a fan of Janis Ian's music since 1967. However, I knew precious little about her personal life. Janis lays out key events in her life, good and bad, without whining about the bad or over indulging in her success. Hers is a life lived out loud without regrets. In the end, it is a story about her music (which clearly is in her DNA) the power of the human spirit and the power of music.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Society's Child?

Book opens with Janis telling the story of performing Society's Child in front of an audience with the small number of racial bigots heckling the 15-year-old star.

Searingly honest, beautiful, at times heartbreaking account of a true star. What incredible songs Janis has written, so pleased to have discovered this gem. Thank you Janis

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Lorraine

4/26/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Who knew what an amazing life Janis has had?"

What made the experience of listening to Society's Child the most enjoyable?

The musical intros to each chapter and the fact that janis did her own narration. I didn't know of janis' career before "at 17" so her earlier work and in particular the controversy surrounding society's child was really interesting.

What other book might you compare Society's Child to, and why?

I can't think of another autobiography that compares to this.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I mostly found the book poignant. I laughed and cried a little but it was the story that kept me rapt. Her candidness about child sexual abuse was expressed matter of fact-ly without seeking pity or apportioning blame. <br/><br/> I could not relate to her having relationships with men and I would have liked a greater analysis of her to journey to Pat.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Vicuña

UK

1/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Remarkable story and lady."

Where does Society's Child rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's a first rate autobiography. Kept me engrossed.

What other book might you compare Society's Child to, and why?

It's in a class of its own because I've come across no one like Janis Ian. She's a one off!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

There are many interesting moments. Her early involvement with Internet auctions to raise funds for a scholarship foundation were fascinating.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many. Abuse by her dentist and the death of her mother were particularly emotive.

Any additional comments?

<br/>Janis Ian has an astonishing story to tell and listening to her narrate the audio version of her book made it all the more extraordinary. She recounts the milestones in her eventful life with candour and often humour. <br/><br/>I knew little of her personal story and this book was compelling. Her unconventional upbringing, astounding musical success as a 15 year old, the nature of and the way she dealt with various types of abuse, her personal relationships...the list goes on and this is before considering her creative gifts as a writer, singer and songwriter, her influence on and involvement with the music industry and the way she embraced early Internet opportunities.<br/><br/>The book took me by surprise. It's a very well written ride through the numerous ups and downs of a colourful life. Unlike many half baked so called 'celebrity stories' this lady, now in her early 60's, actually has a meaningful story to tell. I enjoyed it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Margaret

United Kingdom

6/7/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"the most amasing experiance"

Wow to me Janice Ian was the singer of the hit song 17, in this book of her life she is so much more. What a life, I am very glad she told her story.

Thank you Janice for sharing your life story.

Take the chance and listen you will not want to stop this story is infectious you will not regret the time spent listening,

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

david ian hale

5/5/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great story"

loved it great story fascinated by all the ups and downs of her life til now

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Alison

United Kingdom

3/29/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"At seventeen...I got the blues"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Poor old Janis, she has had a very interesting life, it certainly wasn't what I was expecting, more of a fascinating that uplifting story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wras

Kildonan

12/13/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"The life and times of some of my favourite songs"

When I was 17 years old a girl friend gave me the album At Seventeen the song is a girls point of view of the world it changed my male perspective of the world and has been with me from LP to tape, CD and MP3 accompanying me through my life like so much music; but of the girl that wrote those songs I knew nothing, so when I heard that she had written her biography I decided I had to listen to it. Well it was great, sad, interesting, and entertaining. (I invited my wife to hear the story with me and she loved it though she is not as interested in her music as I am).One of the things I love is that she introduces some of the chapters by singing the song or song she was working on in that period. It is a very personal and candid story that meanders like all our lives through highs and lows and the particular idiosyncrasies of her times.I loved the young girl that sang to me. I respect the woman she became.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Ernesta Orlovaitė

12/1/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"The Story That Becomes Your Own"

What does Janis Ian bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

It's an exhilarating, depressing, exciting, inspiring story of a woman gifted with a wonderful song-writing talent. Reading the book would have been a pleasure, of that I am sure. Now imagine for a second the woman herself telling her story to you. Over dinner, while commuting, in the park. Singing her best songs to you, playing her father's Martin guitar. That's Janis Ian reading her autobiography. If you want an audiobook that will get stuck in your heart for the rest of your life, this is it.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Chris

YorkUnited Kingdom

11/7/12

Overall

"What a life"

Janis has quite an amazing story. I rarely read or listen to biography but I'm glad that I listened to this. As well as her life she spoke about much of her music with snippets from a fair selection of her songs. I have to give this 5 stars.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Margaret

Ormesby St Margaret, United Kingdom

4/17/13

Overall

"An astonishing insight into the music industry."

Astonishing, amazing, I loved this book. I've been a fan of Janis Ian since first hearing 'At Seventeen' and listening to this book (narrated by Janis herself) reminded me how much I love her voice. Each chapter is preceded by a short burst of Janis singing - one advantage this book has over the written word. This audio book also won a Grammy award (beating Michelle Obama) - I didn't even know there was such a category. As soon as I finished it I went straight to i-tunes and listened to Night Rains - one of my favourite albums. There are some great videos of Janis on her website. I regret that I've never seen her live. Hopefully she will make it back to the UK before too long.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

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